The Italian Memorandum

It is not only permissible for Christians in America to participate in the political process (according to the New Testament) it is redemptive and God glorifying.

1. Christian doctrine endorses subjection to the American political process (see Romans 13:1-7). Fortunately, in the American system a citizen of the country may have a voice and a vote. But this voice and vote are to be for “good” (not evil) and as “servants of God”(not servants against God) (see 1 Peter 2:13-17).
2. Christian examples of Paul and his associates models for all time approved apostolic examples of participation in the political process. See Acts 16:35-40 and 26:1,32 for evidence of this both on the local and the imperial level.

3. Christian purpose was, perhaps, never clearer than when Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Notice, here, that privatization of one’s faith is the very opposite of what the Lord meant.

Political issues are often moral issues. When Jesus said, “Judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24) he endorsed for all time that Christians should use their voice and their vote for good not evil. Yes, we are aware that some in America are citing “separation of church and state” as grounds for Christians to hush their mouths. The fact is, however, that Thomas Jefferson uttered those words, January 1, 1802, to reassure the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut of their continued and uninterrupted expression of Christian faith. Current attempts to infer that this is a constitutional matter have another agenda in mind.

Secular humanists are not only anti-Bible and anti-Christ, they are against the very Founders of our own Nation. Will you participate in the political process as a Christian?

-Robert M. Housby

“…what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

(1 Peter 4:17)

We have come across some information that, while we have known as much, the impact of the stats are staggering. According to the research of Dr. John Palmer—

19 out of every 20 who become a Christian do so before age 25.

After 25, only 1 in 10,000 respond
After 35, only 1 in 50,000 respond
After 45, only 1 in 200,000 respond
After 55, only 1 in 300,000 respon
After 65, only 1 in 500,000 respond
Afyter 75, only 1 in 700,000 respond
After 85, only 1 in a million.

Dr. Palmer goes on to say, “It is evident that the time to make Christians is when the mind is still plastic, and the habits are not yet fixed, and when sin has not yet fastened its death grip upon that life” (Dictionary of Prophetic Terms, Signs & Symbols, Star Bible Publications, p. 75). This data is based upon a 6 billion world-wide population (2000).

To obey the gospel is to become a Christian at the point of Christian baptism (Romans 6:3-5; 6:17). Do you know of a loved one who has put off this act of submission to the Lord Jesus? Perhaps they will realize that it won’t be long for most, and can’t be very long for any. Have you obeyed the gospel yet?

-Robert M. Housby

“How To Welcome New Members”

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk,
that by it you may grow up to salvation”

(1 Peter 2:2,ESV)

This article will serve to remind the Cape congregation that as new members come into our fellowship, it is extremely important that every member show the love of Christ to them. Below are some updates and suggestions for each member to understand:

1. Enfolding new Christians is the responsibility of every member:
a. Never let them sit alone.
b. Introduce them to other members.
c. Phone them during the week.
d. Take them to area gospel meetings, camps, ladies’ days, etc.
e. Invite them to lunch.
f. Verbalize your appreciation.
g. Listen to them.

2. Remember the five basic needs of new Christians –
a. Help them to understand that they have been born again into a family.
b. Befriend them that they might belong.
c. Encourage them to learn the Scriptures (Bible Class).
d. They will need to find a ministry for themselves in which to contribute.
e. They will need the watchful care of other Christians (your concern).

Basic Scriptures which support the above recommendations:

1 Cor. 12:12-26; Eph. 4:15,16; Rom. 12:3-21.

The spring campaign continues. Pray for further success. And, may God bless us, as we develop ourselves, by putting others first, and realizing that church leadership awaits the next generation of the faithful to carry on the Lord’s work (1 Cor. 15:58).

-Robert M. Housby

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

(Galatians 1:6-9, English Standard Version)

The children’s book, “What Makes A Raphael A Raphael?” is an attempt to explain art. We happen to think this is an excellent question. We ask in this article, “What makes a gospel sermon a gospel sermon?”

In Galatians 1:6-9, the apostle Paul presents a scathing criticism against misrepresenting the gospel. Four points arise from within the biblical text:

1. It is possible to distort the gospel message (1:7).
2. Distortions may be detected by a departure from the New Testament (1:6,7).
3. The gospel is not to be changed, by apostles, angels, nor men (1:8,9).
4. Preaching “a different gospel” gets an accursed rating (1:8,9).

We might point out that Raphael was a painter, not a preacher. Attempting to understand Raphael is one thing, and believing the gospel is very much another matter. Psalm 119:89 reads, “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” The gospel is a settled matter. It was settled when Paul wrote Galatians; it is settled today, and will abide tomorrow and forever (1 Peter 1:25). Is this your faith?

– Robert M. Housby

“An athlete is not crowned
unless he competes according to the rules”

(2 Timothy 2:5)

Paul’s style of speaking and writing often reflected familiar things of the Greek world. One such area, in which Paul alluded on numerous occasions were the Greek games (1 Corinthians 9:24,25; 2 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). To Paul, these games served to illustrate discipline, rules, personal integrity, and joyous victory. Paul tried to communicate the gospel in terms of this very Greek mentality (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Although the Olympic games are usually associated with Athens, Greece, or the Corinthian Isthmian games, there was a gaming atmosphere fostered even in Palestine by Herod the Great. In a city of Samaria, Sebaste (Acts 6:5), Herod built a stadium out of personal devotion to the Greek games. The New Testament scholar, Merrill F. Unger states that: “Herod supported the Olympic games, and even offered rewards for the 192 Olympiad” (Archaeology and the New Testament, p. 150).

The popular Greek historian, Edith Hamilton, and others, have observed, “The Greeks played, but the Romans watched.” Perhaps, it is this spectator mood versus the participation mode that James had in mind when he wrote: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life…” (James 1:12).

The crown of the games was a simple garland of olive leaves, or pine needles. The crown (stephanos) of Christians is an imperishable wreath from the thorny brow of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4). Herod did not compete by the rules; while the Romans merely watched. Watch the Summer Games of Athens. But, participate in the eternal gospel of heaven.

— Robert M. Housby